The 23rd Session, United Nations (UN) Working Group on Indigenous Populations, 18 - 22 July 2005, Geneva, Switzerland.

The Working Group on Indigenous Populations

The 23rd session of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection will be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland from 18 to 22 July 2005. This has been announced on the website of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Its two-fold mandate is; to review developments relevant to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples; and to give attention to the evolution of international standards in the field of indigenous rights. The event is open to representatives of indigenous organizations, peoples and communities as well as representatives of Governments, non-governmental organizations and UN agencies.

Programme & Registration

The theme of “Indigenous peoples and the international and domestic protection of traditional knowledge” has been chosen for the five day meeting which is considered one of the largest gatherings of indigenous peoples.

The WGIP meeting will be preceded by two parallel preparatory meetings from 14 to 17 which will be held at the World Council of Churches Headquarters in Geneva. The Sixth International Workshop on Indigenous Children and Youth is one the preparatory meetings.

The Working Group which was established in 1982 by UN Economic and Social Council resolution 1982/34. The Working Group consists of independent experts and members of the Sub-Commission - one from each of the geopolitical regions of the world. The Working Group is open to all representatives of indigenous peoples and their communities and organizations.

In July 1993, the Working Group agreed on a final text for the draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples and under review by the inter-sessional Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights on the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.

Please note that for representatives from indigenous organisations there is an online registration possibility, available at: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/reg/registration.aspx

UNPO will be present at the WGIP and will assist Members, as well as producing the annual UNPO Monitor, which will operate as an important liaison between the voices of indigenous peoples and the creation of awareness in the global community. The UNPO Monitor will include daily news updates directly from the UN and full versions of statements made by indigenous leaders and UN experts.

For last year's issues of the UNPO Monitor, click here.